There are many aspects to planning the perfect senior session. During the planning process, we’ll talk through logistics such as date and time, as well as your outfits and any props you may want to bring. All of these aspects will rely largely on one thing – the location of your session. One of the first questions I receive from seniors who want to book their senior portrait session is, “do you have any recommendations for a location?” And the answer is YES! One of the perks to using an experienced senior photographer is having access to tried and true portrait locations in Raleigh, Apex, Cary and Durham. I’ve shot at dozens of locations and I know which spots are perfect for seniors! In today’s post, we’ll go over the three things to think through as you decide on your senior portrait location – your personality, your style and the lighting.
Your unique personality
First up – your unique personality. Consider the look and feel you want your final images to have. Are you a city girl who wants a more urban feel, with buildings and city streets as the backdrop of your photos? If so, a downtown location would be a great fit. Or maybe you’re the outdoorsy type and prefer to be in nature. You might want a lot of greenery and trees in your final gallery. I have several great locations for this option as well. We could also use a favorite hangout or local spot that you like to visit with friends. Remember, your senior portraits should tell the story of your individual personality, so we want to incorporate that into the background of your images.
What will you wear?
The next aspect to consider is your style. Do you prefer to dress it up? Or are you planning to wear more casual clothing, like jeans and a cute top? Do you love your golden goose sneakers or are heels more your style? I want to make sure you’ll be comfortable on the day of the session, so we’ll choose a location that makes sense for your wardrobe. For example, you likely won’t want to walk through a field of tall grass in 3 inch heels. The outfits you choose to wear for your portraits should work with the location, so we will think through which backdrop would make the most sense. I can assist you in the decision for location once we’ve decided on the types of clothing you want to wear.
How’s the light?
Lastly, you’ll want to consider the light. The location we choose should have plenty of natural light at the time of day we will be shooting. In other words, we wouldn’t want to capture your photos in a heavily wooded area. We need plenty of light and for the sun to be as low in the sky as possible. My favorite time of day for a session is in the evening. That golden sunset light makes for beautiful images! All of the places in my location guide are great options, with plenty of light. However, if you have your own location in mind, just be sure it has a wide open area with access to the sunlight.
Are you ready to plan your senior portrait session, but aren’t sure which location to choose? I have a guide that will help! Click HERE to read my Session Location Guide, which includes tried and true location options in Raleigh, Cary, Apex and Durham, NC! It’s completely free and will give you loads of ideas for a great portrait location!
Ready to book your session and let the planning begin? Click HERE to contact me and get the available dates for your senior portrait session!
627 Photography is owned + operated by Amy Hill in Apex, North Carolina focusing on high school senior portraits and headshot/branding photography, serving clients in Apex, Cary, and Raleigh. Contact me today to reserve your session, peek behind the scenes on Instagram and follow along on Facebook for the latest sessions and information!
